Kersti and Frank Wiedermann

Today we share the perfectly appointed ‘downsizer’ of interior designer and artist Kersti Wiedermann and her husband, Frank Wiedermann, in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Brighton.

As a self confessed serial renovator, designing this ‘forever home’ has been a dream project for Kersti, in collaboration with her daughter and business partner, Kimberly Wiedermann.

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

Dining space framed by James Dunlop Laconia Silver sheer curatins from Highfield Furnishings, Supergrau Ping Pendant from Kelektiv sits above Iko dining table by Jardan. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Black and Blue painting by Kersti behind leather sofa from King Living, Opulence floor rug by Bayliss Rugs, Leather desk chair from Coco Republic, and brass and marble accessories from Country Road. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Inside the Brighton home of Frank and Kersti Wiedermann. Artwork, Drift, is by Kersti, Camerich Bell mirror from Meizai, sofa from West Elm, and Hay tray table is by Cult Design. Walls feature Dulux ‘Pipe Clay’ (half strength) with oak timber floors in ‘Florence’ from Eastern Flooring Clearance Centre. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The kitchen cabinets are painted in Dulux Silkwort with Elegant Grey stone splashback and breakfast bench from CDK Stone. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kersti Wiedermann with her daughter. ‘Kimberley is so in tune with trends, and always hunting new and different finishes, fixtures and furniture,’ tells Kersti. ‘She opened our eyes to new ways of viewing and enjoying the home, and together we had a lot of fun designing it.’ Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Dining room details. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The statement kitchen cabinetry painted in Dulux Briar, with Tilda dining table from Jardan and Chair 170 dining chairs. Feelgood Designs Assembleges book girth, Lightly Opulence floor rug from Bayliss Rugs, and Envelope handles in brushed brass from Auhaus. Oak timber floors in ‘Florence’ from Eastern Flooring Clearance Centre. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

In the bedroom, original Harry Bertoia diamond chair found in op shop (heavily stained, hence the Icelandic throw!) and Escape Velour carpet in Zoom from Supertuft. Dulux Pipe Clay (half strength) to walls, joinery and timber Venetians, with Marcia cabinet knobs in Black Motif from Anthropologie. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

In the bathroom Astra Walker Icon Wall Mixer and Icon+ Hook in Urban Brass and Mary Noall Pedestal Basin from First Choice Warehouse. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Maguire the 14-year-old dog guards the master bedroom. Escape Velour carpet in ‘Zoom’ from Supertuft is on the floors, with Dulux ‘Pipe Clay’ (half strength) to walls and Sheer curtains in James Dunlop Laconia ‘Silver’, Highfield Furnishings. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom with ‘Hydrangeas’ painting by Venita Burns, Porter bedside table from Globe West, Mass Light NA5 pendant from Great Dane Furniture, Bitossi birds purchased on Ebay, and Cultiver bed linen. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Paris Au Mois D’aout pendants from Hub Furniture and leather sofa from King Living. The venetian blinds are Vertilux Cedar 84mm timber blade from Highfield Furnishings (with Dulux ‘Pipe Clay’ (half strength) to walls and timber venetians). Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The backyard with Cancun Ali dining table with dining chairs, both from Globe West. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kersti and Frank purchased their perfect ‘downsizer’ in September 2015. ‘Perfect’, because it had a great layout, established garden, and was in their ideal location (they even road-tested the walk to their favourite local cafe). But, being an interior designer by trade, Kersti couldn’t help but redecorate a little!

Along with her daughter Kimberley (also an interior designer), Kersti was sketching up options for floor plans and elevations even before purchasing the house – ‘we just had an innate feeling that this house was the one!’ she says.

The home is a typical 1980’s build – single storey, with a flat roof and relatively clean lines, with multiple courtyards and light wells to maximise natural light. Retaining most of the existing floorplan and room layout, Kersti and Kimberly gutted the kitchen and all bathrooms, taking cues from existing terrazzo tiles and brass tapware.

The pair introduced a pared back colour palette of cool whites and greys, with the addition of dramatic deep green cabinetry with brass hardware in the dining room. ‘The impact of the green cabinets always gets a great response’ says Kersti. ‘We’d always been so neutral and “safe” with our colour choices in the past, and this green was definitely an out-of-the-box choice for us.. but it presents a young and playful atmosphere in the space, in comparison to the previous feel which was quite old.’

Renovating houses has been a life-long passion for Kersti, who launched her own business, Accolade Design, more than 35 years ago. ‘Frank and I love renovating; we have purchased and renovated more than 10 houses over the course of 25 years (with rental properties in between – a lot of moving!)’ Kersti confesses. Most of their homes before this one, though, were decorated with the intention of selling.

That’s why this particular project has been a liberating experience for the Wiedermanns. ‘As this is our ‘forever’ home, we wanted to select materials, finishes and products that we truly loved, to make it extra special’ Kersti explains. ‘Kimberley really pushed us with the selections, stepping out of our comfort zone in a few subtle ways. She opened our eyes to new ways of viewing and enjoying the home, and together we had a lot of fun designing it. It’s a special home for us all.’